Women in local politics podcast launched in Tipperary

Tipperary County Council has this week launched a new women in local politics podcast.

The podcast was previewed at this week’s Tipperary County Council plenary meeting in Clonmel. It was produced by the

Tipperary Women’s Caucus and Ballywire Media.

Chairperson of the Tipperary Women’s Caucus Councillor Peggy Ryan said they were delighted to have the opportunity to film the podcast.

“I am delighted to see it launched today and so close to International Women’s Day too,” said Cllr Ryan.

Cllr Ryan said they hope the series will encourage women to follow in their footsteps and get into politics.

“Our videos highlight the highs and lows of the job, but overall, we love the work,” said Cllr Ryan.

The video series features all of the female councillors in Tipperary.

In the series, they talk about their role, how they got started and how important that more women get involved. Cllr Siobhán Ambrose also welcomed the launch.

She said she wished to acknowledge the support given to them by Kathleen Fanning and Paul Collins who filmed the videos.

The Fianna Fáil councillor also acknowledged the department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who funded the project.

She said the whole project was “about looking at the role of women in politics.”

Cllr Annemarie Ryan said the project had been a great opportunity for the participating councillors to get to know one another.

THAT’S POLITICS

However, not all members of the council were so positive. Cllr Seamus Morris said he welcomed “anyone” who got into politics.

But he criticised launching the podcast so close to International Women’s Day and the two referenda last Friday.

He said there was “irony” in it after trying to “remove women” from the constitution last week. Cllr Peggy Ryan said that had nothing to do with the women’s caucus.

South Tipperary councillor Máirín McGrath agreed with Cllr Morris.

She said she was happy to be part of the project even though she “has never been one for gender quotas.”

FACT CHECK

Cllr Morris’s claim that the referendum on Friday would have removed women from the constitution is factually incorrect.

The words “woman” and “women” appear three times in the Irish Constitution.

“Woman” appears first in Article 41.2.1 and refers to the woman’s role in the home.

“Women” appears twice. The first is in Article 45.2.1, which states that men and women have an equal right to a livelihood.

And it appears again in Article 45.4.2, which protects the “health and strength” of workers.

The Women in the Home Referendum, had it passed, would only have changed Article 41.2.1.

A copy of the Irish Constitution can be downloaded from www.irishstatutebook.ie.